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4 Answers

Question about Flight Following

Asked by: 3899 views Airspace, Student Pilot

If I wasn't flying to another airport, but over a long distance just to fly over some scenery, how would I call for vfr flight following, and would it be okay to cancel once I get over the scenery I want to see?

 

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4 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Koehn on Oct 23, 2014

    You’ll need to contact the ARTCC (center) controller assuming you’re away from a larger airport with approach services; you can easily find the frequency in the A/FD or on IFR low en-route charts. If you’re out of radar coverage they obviously cannot give you flight following, but they’ll let you know if they cannot see you on the scope.

    You needn’t cancel flight following just because you’re not going straight; let the controller know you’re going to linger in an area and they’ll let you know if any traffic comes by.

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  2. gliderpilot2013 on Oct 23, 2014

    Thank you, that answers the second part. But let me rephrase the first part. Let’s say that my scenery is 5 miles West of the XYZ VOR. Would my call consist of me saying that my destination is some scenery 5 West of the XYZ VOR and I will be lingering in the area? This is opposed to saying that I would like to request VFR flight following to the ABC airport.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Oct 23, 2014

    Yes. It’s really just as simple as telling ATC what you want to do. “We’ll be sightseeing about 5 west of the XYZ VOR. Request flight following.”

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  4. Gary on Nov 08, 2014

    Respectfully….”lingering” is probably not the best aviation word even though ATC will understand. Try “maneuvering.” Or you could say “hanging out”(just kidding).

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